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Legal Requirements You Must Consider

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The legislation that is of specific relevance to you and your business is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

 

However, there are several other regulations that must also be considered and these are the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and

the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

 

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both employer and
employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises and equipment.                             This also includes self employed and contractors.

 

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:

 

“Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:

• (a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst at work, and

• (b) the risks to ensure the health and safety
  of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him or his undertaking.”

 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states:

“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.”

 

The PUWER 1998 covers the risks that may result from using work equipment. In conjunction with these risks, complying with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 will in most cases achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998. PUWER 1998 will only apply to work equipment used by workers at work.

 

This includes all work equipment (fixed, transportable or portable) which is connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building.

The electrical safety for these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.

 

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:

“All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable,
such danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger.” A System in this context means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment” Electrical Equipment,  includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy.”

 

The Scope of this legislation is far reaching and it is therefore clear that the combination of the HSW Act 1974, PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with places of work.

 

This scope further extends from larger more complex distribution systems right down to the smallest pieces of electrical equipment for example a battery calculator or charger. Clearly it is the case that regular electrical testing through (Portable and Fixed Wire) testing will fully satisfy the legal requirements and insurance requirements for your business..                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Why not get a quote and book a test with us today.